How To Keep An Iguana At Home As A Pet

In the last few years, the fashion of having exotic animals in the house has broken out . This is the case of the iguana, a peaceful animal that adapts quite well to domestic life. We decided to dedicate an article to these large reptiles, very similar to the classic lizards. If you are thinking of adopting one, we will give you all the useful information and some practical advice to take care of it in the best possible way.

However, we remind you that an exotic animal will never behave like a dog or a cat, which are living beings domesticated by humans thousands of years ago. We are not only talking about behavior but also about nutrition and specific treatments that will need to be learned to ensure the well-being and comfort of your iguana.

Everything you need to know about the iguana

The iguana is a vertebrate animal that belongs to the class of reptiles. It is like a lizard with a large tail and sharp teeth, in captivity it can grow up to five feet in length. Its tail is its main defense mechanism. Even if they are usually calm and silent, you should always be very careful in handling them: iguanas can easily get angry and show aggressive attitudes.

Don’t forget that they belong to the same family as crocodiles and are cold-blooded animals . If they don’t like something, they will attack without thinking too much. As always, it all lies in the way the animal is treated. Give your iguana love and attention and you will find that it can be a very pleasant pet to keep.

How long can an iguana live indoors?

Adopting a pet is always a responsibility, no matter what type it is. An iguana can live for 20 to 30 years, so before adopting one, keep in mind that your commitment will be quite long.

The most delicate problem, relating to life expectancy, concerns  the ideal climatic conditions for the life of iguanas. They are tropical animals and keeping them in too cold places could harm their health, causing them to die, slowly, earlier than expected. Long-lived and delicate, these exotic animals need an owner who is prepared and aware of their habitat needs .

Where to keep an iguana indoors?

First, you will need to get yourself a terrarium. It is a kind of cage with transparent walls in which you will have to  recreate the natural habitat of the iguana. It will need to be very large so that it can move and turn around. The problem is the long tail, which will force you to carve out a large space of your home just for your new four-legged friend.

The first golden rule to respect is to never leave an iguana free inside the house, especially in the early days. When you introduce her to the terrarium, you can get to know her, discovering her character and personality. Once you have built a bond of trust, only then, can you leave it free inside your apartment, taking however normal safety precautions.

It is necessary to make sure that the iguana lives in a rather warm environment, between 28 and 30 degrees, and never let it go outside, especially in the cold season: it could die in just one night.

What do iguanas eat?

Despite being descended from reptiles, iguanas are herbivores. Therefore, lettuce and any other type of vegetable or fruit are great for his diet. There are also ready-made foods designed for these domestic reptiles, but everything will depend on your personal choice.

Water is very important, and your iguana must always have plenty of it, clean and fresh. When introducing food into the terrarium, do it very carefully: especially in the early days, the animal may feel threatened and decide to  attack you.

Is the iguana a good pet?

The answer to this question is “yes” and “no” … It depends on what kind of pet you are looking for. If you want a pet that comes to you every time you call it, it’s best to adopt a dog. If you have children, the dangers would be too great, both for your children and for the animal itself.

Therefore, keep these factors in mind if you decide to adopt an iguana and, above all, think carefully about why you want to do it. Remember that every animal carries a lot of responsibilities, and once you decide to commit, you will never be able to go back. If you have a passion for this amazing reptile and have enough space and time to care for it, around 20 years, great. Otherwise, better be  realistic and choose an animal that is easier to manage.